Man Utd set for big spend

Ferguson: Van Nistelrooy's arrival the first of many

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he wants to launch a summer spending spree as he prepares for his final assault on the Champions League.

United have bowed out of the competition they won in 1999 at the quarter-final stages for the past two seasons.

That has prompted criticism from captain Roy Keane that the Old Trafford giants needed to strengthen its squad.

The protracted £19m transfer of Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was confirmed last month and Ferguson has promised more signings to follow.

When we get the players we want I'm confident of having a squad capable of making a challenge in Europe

  Alex Ferguson

"It's not a case of if but when we sign more new players," Ferguson told The Sun newspaper.

"We have to get them or we will go backwards. More and more of my players have said the same. They realise we need fresh blood and top quality.

"When we get the players we want I'm confident of having a squad capable of making a challenge in Europe.

"I only bought in one major player (Fabien Barthez) a year ago, while five seniors left. So this is a time for rebuilding and that is what I intend."

Meanwhile, new arrival Van Nistelrooy is confident of making his mark in the Premiership.

Van Nistelrooy is relishing playing in the Premiership

He said: "I haven't yet played against the top English teams, but I have played in the Champions League which I believe is of a similar standard.

"And in my 15 appearances in the Champions League, I scored 10 goals. So I am pretty confident I can score goals and create chances for my team-mates as well.

"Also, I see the likes of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs at United, and the opportunities they create for strikers, and I must admit I relish the opportunity of playing alongside them. For a forward, it's a very exciting team to play in."

The Dutch striker told United magazine that he is confident of Champions League success.

He said: "This is a great team by anyone's standards. Personally, I believe they are capable of winning any competition they are in.

"Yes, the quarter-final defeat was a disappointment, but these things can happen in football.

'Positive things'

"But if you're asking me whether Manchester United can win the European Cup next season, I would say yes.

"This is one of the great clubs. They are certainly capable of proving it again, as they have done before."

Van Nistelrooy said that compatriots Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp swayed his decision to move to England.

He added: "People like Overmars and Bergkamp, who are in a position to compare different leagues in Europe, said some very positive things and I was very excited by what I saw myself.

"I like the way most teams seem to fight for three points, to go for victory. I've never believed a football match should be like a game of chess."